Abstract: A flaring tool for flaring an end of a tube includes a locking mechanism having a collar and a collet with two or more collet pieces. As the collet is moved relative to the collar from a non-locking position toward a locking position, the collar engages outer surfaces of the collet pieces and causes the collet pieces to move from a non-clamping position toward a clamping position. As the collet pieces are urged radially inward, they each pivot about a respective pivot axis. As the collet moves further toward the locking position and the collet pieces move further toward the clamping position, the pivot axis of each of the collet pieces radially moves relative to the collet body and the collar. A flaring mechanism moves a flaring mandrel towards the end of the tube when the collet is clamped, whereby the mandrel engages and flares the end of the tube.

Abstract: A hand held flaring tool for flaring an end of a tube includes a body portion and a handle portion. The body portion receives the tube therein and includes a locking actuator operable to actuate a locking mechanism to secure the tube in the body portion. The body portion includes a flaring actuator operable to actuate a flaring mechanism to flare the end of the tube when the tube is secured in the body portion. The handle portion includes a grip portion that is grasped by a user's hand for supporting the body portion of the flaring tool during a flaring process of the tube. While the user is holding the handle portion to support the hand held flaring tool, the user is able to access and actuate first and second user inputs disposed at and accessible at the handle portion to actuate the locking actuator and flaring actuator.

Abstract: A flaring tool for flaring an end of a tube includes a locking mechanism having a collar and a collet with two or more collet pieces. As the collet is moved relative to the collar from a non-locking position toward a locking position, the collar engages outer surfaces of the collet pieces and causes the collet pieces to move from a non-clamping position toward a clamping position. As the collet pieces are urged radially inward, they each pivot about a respective pivot axis. As the collet moves further toward the locking position and the collet pieces move further toward the clamping position, the pivot axis of each of the collet pieces radially moves relative to the collet body and the collar. A flaring mechanism moves a flaring mandrel towards the end of the tube when the collet is clamped, whereby the mandrel engages and flares the end of the tube.

Abstract: A flaring tool is provided for flaring an end of a pipe or tube. The tool includes a locking mechanism having a collar and a collet with two or more collet pieces that engage the collar prior to and during a flaring operation. The collet can receive a pipe or tube when the collet is in an expanded or open position. The collet pieces have external flanges for engaging the collar during clamping and unclamping of the tube, each flange having first and second flange portions that sequentially engage an inner surface of the collar, the first flange portion guiding insertion of the collet into the collar and the second flange portion causing the collet pieces to clamp onto the tube. A flaring mechanism moves a flaring mandrel towards the end of the tube when the collet is clamped, whereby the mandrel engages and flares the end of the tube.

Abstract: A hand held flaring tool for flaring an end of a tube includes a body portion and a handle portion. The body portion receives the tube therein and includes a locking actuator operable to actuate a locking mechanism to secure the tube in the body portion. The body portion includes a flaring actuator operable to actuate a flaring mechanism to flare the end of the tube when the tube is secured in the body portion. The handle portion includes a grip portion that is grasped by a user's hand for supporting the body portion of the flaring tool during a flaring process of the tube. While the user is holding the handle portion to support the hand held flaring tool, the user is able to access and actuate first and second user inputs disposed at and accessible at the handle portion to actuate the locking actuator and flaring actuator.

Abstract: A hand held flaring tool includes a receiving portion for receiving an end of a tube, a stop element, a locking mechanism and a flaring mechanism. The stop element is movably disposed at the receiving portion and is movable between a stopping position, where the stop element limits insertion of the tube at the receiving portion to set the tube at an appropriate location for flaring the end of the tube, and a flaring position, where the stop element is moved to a position remote from the end of the tube. The locking mechanism is operable to lock the tube at the receiving portion when the tube is inserted into engagement with the stop element. The flaring mechanism is operable to move a flaring mandrel towards and into engagement with the end of the tube to flare the end of the tube.

Abstract: A flaring tool is provided for flaring an end of a pipe or tube. The tool includes a locking mechanism having a collar and a collet with two or more collet pieces that engage the collar prior to and during a flaring operation. The collet can receive a pipe or tube when the collet is in an expanded or open position. The collet pieces have external flanges for engaging the collar during clamping and unclamping of the tube, each flange having first and second flange portions that sequentially engage an inner surface of the collar, the first flange portion guiding insertion of the collet into the collar and the second flange portion causing the collet pieces to clamp onto the tube. A flaring mechanism moves a flaring mandrel towards the end of the tube when the collet is clamped, whereby the mandrel engages and flares the end of the tube.

Abstract: A hand held flaring tool includes a receiving portion for receiving an end of a tube, a stop element, a locking mechanism and a flaring mechanism. The stop element is movably disposed at the receiving portion and is movable between a stopping position, where the stop element limits insertion of the tube at the receiving portion to set the tube at an appropriate location for flaring the end of the tube, and a flaring position, where the stop element is moved to a position remote from the end of the tube. The locking mechanism is operable to lock the tube at the receiving portion when the tube is inserted into engagement with the stop element. The flaring mechanism is operable to move a flaring mandrel towards and into engagement with the end of the tube to flare the end of the tube.

Abstract: An evaporative emission tester is used to evaluate the integrity of a vehicle's evaporative emission control system, including determining the system's purge capability. The emission tester performs a purge flow test to determine whether fuel vapor stored in the vehicle's evaporative canister and present in the fuel tank is being drawn into the engine for combustion at a minimum amount. The emission tester also performs a pressure test of the vehicle's evaporative canister purge system, which includes the fuel tank and lines. The emission tester can function as a stand-alone unit or as an integrated product with a host computer.

Abstract: A wrench for a wheel spoke nipple is provided. The wrench includes a body having an axis and first and second axial ends, the first axial end having first and second engagement notches for engaging spoke nipples, and the second axial end having third and fourth engagement notches for engaging spoke nipples. The wrench may also include a central portion disposed between the first and second axial ends, the central portion having first and second radial engaging portions for engagement with a user's fingers or thumb. Each engaging portion having an inner radial end and an outer radial end. Each engaging portion also having first and second oppositely contoured concave faces disposed between the inner and outer radial ends wherein the distance between the first and second oppositely contoured faces of the first engaging portion increases between the inner and outer radial ends.

Abstract: An evaporative emission tester is used to evaluate the integrity of a vehicle's evaporative emission control system, including determining the system's purge capability. The emission tester performs a purge flow test to determine whether fuel vapor stored in the vehicle's evaporative canister and present in the fuel tank is being drawn into the engine for combustion at a minimum amount. The emission tester also performs a pressure test of the vehicle's evaporative canister purge system, which includes the fuel tank and lines. The emission tester can function as a stand-alone unit or as an integrated product with a host computer.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing a pedal crank arm from a bicycle axle end, wherein the axle end is received in a bore in the crank arm. The apparatus includes a tubular insert receivable in the bore of the crank arm and adapted to be fixed to the crank arm and a pressure screw receivable coaxially through the insert in threaded engagement therewith. The screw includes a bearing plug and a threaded member rotatably coupled to the bearing plug. The threaded member has a plug end and a drive end and a threaded outer surface portion in threaded engagement with the insert. The bearing plug has a bearing end frictionally engageable with the axle end to inhibit relative movement therebetween. The threaded member further includes coupling means on the drive end for removable coupling to an associate drive lever.

Abstract: A hand tool is provided having a handle which includes a generally triangular body having first, second and third vertices and first, second and third sides and is adapted to fit readily in the hand of a user. The handle also includes three tubular tool holding arms for respectively holding three tool units. The tool holding arms project laterally outwardly from the sides and are spaced from adjacent vertices. In one embodiment, the tool units have L-shaped attachment portions enclosed in the handle body. In another embodiment, the tool units are socketed in a hub around which the handle is molded.

Abstract: A portable cordless electric utility lamp includes a base having two parts which mate in an assembled condition to define an elongated handle which has a hollow distal end portion receiving a rechargeable battery pack. An elongated light-transmitting tube fits telescopically between cylindrical wall portions and retaining structures on the base parts for holding them together, being affixed thereto by screws. An elongated fluorescent bulb is plugged into the base and disposed in the tube. A cap closes the distal end of the tube and has a foam rubber cushion which seats against the distal end of the bulb for supporting and cushioning it.

Abstract: A bicycle crank arm puller includes a tubular insert externally threaded for threaded engagement in an internally threaded portion of a bore in a crank arm, the other portion of the bore receiving an axle end in press-fitted engagement. The insert has an enlarged, radially outwardly extending, trilobular handle. A drive screw is threadedly engaged through the tubular insert and has a part-spherical bearing end engageable with the axle end. A square drive socket on the outer end of the drive screw receives the drive lug of an associated lever member.